Appeals Court OKs Sidewalk Storage On Skid Row For Homeless People

Los Angeles city officials recently settled a 2003 lawsuit brought by advocates for homeless skid row residents who complained of being arrested for sleeping on sidewalks, despite having nowhere else to go. Under the new deal, people can sleep on Los Angeles sidewalks between 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. as long as they do not block doorways or driveways, or completely block the sidewalk. Los Angeles is often referred to as the homeless capital of the nation because of its estimated 40,144 people living on city streets and 73,000 homeless spread across the county, according to recent figures attributed to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, The 73,000 homeless include 10,000 minors, 24,505 people suffering from a mental illness, 8,453 military veterans, and nearly 7,200 victims of domestic abuse.

(Photo credit: David McNew/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A federal appeals court has upheld the right of homeless people on Los Angeles’ Skid Row to temporarily leave their belongings unattended on sidewalks.

In the 36-page ruling issued Wednesday, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied the Los Angeles city attorney’s appeal of a July 2011 district court decision.

The appellate court confirmed the lower court ruling that found seizure and destruction of property temporarily left on a sidewalk violated homeless people’s constitutional rights.

The city attorney’s office had no immediate comment.

The issue of property seizures has long been an issue on Skid Row.

The city contends that property left on sidewalks constitutes a health hazard, but advocates say people’s valuable possessions have been destroyed while their owners were showering or eating in nearby shelters.